Chard - Ruby Red (Heirloom, Organic)

Ruby Red Chard: This chard has a shiny green leaf with deep red veins and stems. It is heat tolerant which makes for great summer leaves. Ruby Red is also good when used as baby leaf and microgreens. Planting tips: Chard is a tender biennial, producing seeds in the second year.Transplants can be started indoors 4 - 6 weeks before the last average frost. This makes the harvesting season start earlier. To extend the harvest season, sow seeds every week in the summer. Continued harvests encourage new growth. Leaves can be harvested when they reach 3” in height. Seed Depth - 1/2”, Seed Spacing - 2”, Days to Germination - 5-10, Plant Spacing - 4-8”, Row Spacing - 22”, Plant Height - 18”. When harvesting, leave about 3” of the stem to keep the center growing tip intact. Chard will continue to produce until the first frost.

Saving Seeds: This plant will not set seeds until the second year of growth. Seeds change from green to tan/brown in color as they mature. Harvest when ⅔ of the seeds on a plant are mature. Cut or pull plants and move them inside to dry. Dry seeds for 7-14 days. Run a hand along dried stalks to dislodge seeds. Run seeds through a fine sieve and store in a cool, dry place for up to 5 years.